Hyde Park Fudge Cake

Based on an old recipe from Texas French Bread, an Austin, TX bakery and restaurant.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword Chocolate Cake, Hyde Park

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 1

Servings slices

Author Anna

Cost 5

5 ⅓ oz unsweetened chocolate, chopped (150 grams)
⅔ cup all-vegetable shortening (128 grams) -- same weight as eggs
2 ⅔ large eggs OR 3 medium eggs or just weigh 128 grams (128 grams)
2 ¾ cups sugar (550 grams)
¾ cup buttermilk or sour milk (170 grams)
1 ⅓ teaspoons vanilla
3 cups bleached all-purpose flour, weigh or carefully spoon into cup with a light hand about (370 grams)
1 ⅓ teaspoons baking soda
1 ⅓ teaspoons salt
1 ⅓ cups water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a standard size Bundt pan.
In a microwave or in the top of a double boiler, melt the chocolate with the shortening.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the eggs, sugar, buttermilk and vanilla. Mix well with the paddle attachment, then add the cooled chocolate mixture.
Whisk the dry ingredients together so that they are evenly blended, then add to the egg mixture. Beat on low with the paddle just until blended, then increase speed slightly and add water. Beat until blended, but don't overdo it.
Pour mixture into the pan. Bake for 55 to 65 minutes.
Let cake cool in pan for about 20 to 30 minutes, then turn from pan and make the icing.
Have a cup of boiling water (or use the water from the double boiler) on hand in case you need to use it in the icing.
In the top of a double boiler with simmering water, heat the sugar with milk until the sugar is dissolved. This should not take long. You'll know it's dissolved when you no longer feel the grains of sugar.
Melt the chocolate and butter together in the microwave or in a small saucepan.
Remove the milk mixture from the double boiler and scrape the melted chocolate into the hot milk mixture. Stir until it starts to thicken, then drizzle over the cake. Note, this is when you may need an extra 1 to 2 teaspoons of boiling water. If the sauce isn't shiny or has an opaque look, stir in a tiny bit of water to give it sheen.